1895-2006 Annual precipitation, long-term trends, persistent variations, and annual precipitation expectations for Oklahoma climate divisions

Authors: Garbrecht, Jurgen; Schneider, Jeanne

Submitted to: Grazinglands Research Laboratory Miscellaneous Publication
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/11/2007
Publication Date: 5/14/2007
Citation: Garbrecht, J.D., Schneider, J.M. 2007. 1895-2006 annual precipitation, long-term trends, persistent variations, and annual precipitation expectations for Oklahoma climate divisions. Grazinglands Research Laboratory Miscellaneous Publication. Available: http://ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=11617.

Interpretive Summary: Annual precipitation in the Southern Great Plains is highly variable and drought often results in significant and widespread losses. This report on annual precipitation of crop reporting districts of Oklahoma provides agricultural producers, water resources managers, and conservationist with annual precipitation information to assist with risk-based planning, management, and decision making. Data in this report include long-term trends in average annual precipitation that define the current precipitation average relative to past historical values and may indicate the need to update annual precipitation statistics used for planning and decision making; the size and duration of persistent multi-year annual precipitation variations that draw attention to potential vulnerabilities of the agricultural and water resources system to cumulative impacts; the most recent precipitation variation that is an indicator of the currently prevailing wet or dry state of the climate; and, annual precipitation expectations that help quantify risk associated with variations in annual precipitation. Use of this information may reduce agriculture’s vulnerability to multi-year precipitation variations, increase agricultural profitability, and enhance conservation and sustainable utilization of water resources.

Technical Abstract: This report on annual precipitation for the climate divisions of Oklahoma provides agricultural producers, water resources managers, and conservationist with annual precipitation information for risk-based planning, management, and decision making. Data in this report include long-term trends in average annual precipitation that define the current precipitation average relative to past historical values and may indicate the need to update annual precipitation statistics used for planning and decision making; the size and duration of persistent multi-year annual precipitation variations that draw attention to potential vulnerabilities of the agricultural and water resources system to cumulative impacts; the most recent precipitation variation that is an indicator of the currently prevailing wet or dry state of the climate; and, annual precipitation expectations that help quantify risk associated with variations in annual precipitation. Use of this information may reduce agriculture’s vulnerability to multi-year precipitation variations, increase agricultural profitability, and enhance conservation and sustainable utilization of water resources.